Nigeria is Indivisible: Tinubu Commends Finland for Simon Ekpa’s Arrest

President Bola Tinubu has lauded the Finnish government for the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa, stating that the Nigerian government will not condone actions or statements that threaten the unity of the country.

Receiving Letters of Credence from the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin, at the State House on Friday, Tinubu praised Finland’s timely intervention, which he said safeguarded Nigeria’s integrity and fostered peace.

“I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible. We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism,” Tinubu stated.

“I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness. We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development. Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward,” he added.

The President emphasized the importance of the rule of law in Nigeria’s democracy. “The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has informed me. I know what the rule of law means. The rule of law safeguards our democratic credentials, morals, and values. We must respect the rule of law.”

Tinubu also highlighted Finland’s priorities in Nigeria, including ICT, agriculture, and education, which he said would significantly impact the country’s development.

“Nigeria is undergoing a series of necessary reforms to stimulate growth and prosperity. Thank you also for the humanitarian support in the Northeast. I believe that we can work together,” he noted.

The Finnish Ambassador commended Tinubu’s economic reforms and expressed her country’s readiness to strengthen bilateral relations.

“Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations. The cooperation between our two countries is going very well now, and the National Security Adviser has been providing all the evidence,” Selin said.

“I salute you for all the ongoing reforms in the country. They are not easy. Even though it is painful, it is the only way Nigeria can progress. Finland has been involved in peace mediation as well. We also have opportunities for Nigeria in energy. We can work and make it a realisable dream,” she added.

Collaboration with the EU and Algeria

In separate meetings, Tinubu also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr. Gautier Mignot, and the Algerian Ambassador, Hocine Mezoued.

The President urged the EU to support Nigeria in digitalising its economy, emphasizing the need to leverage the country’s youthful population. “The Nigerian economy can support investments with its vibrant, youthful population,” he said.

Mignot acknowledged Nigeria’s vast untapped potential and emphasized development cooperation and technology as areas of focus. “We have a solid partnership based on our shared values,” he noted.

In his meeting with Mezoued, Tinubu called for collaboration on the trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project. “We need to lift one another in Africa, and we will be stronger together. We can be abused or ignored, but we have nothing to prove to anyone but ourselves. We must lift Africa together,” Tinubu stated.

Mezoued expressed Algeria’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in regional development projects, adding that both nations share common values politically, socially, and economically. “I would like to personally, on behalf of the government and people of Algeria, convey the greetings of our president and express my delight in our shared values,” Mezoued said.

The meetings underscored Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral relationships while addressing key national and regional challenges.

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